Overnight Oats {Five Ways}

Overnight Oats are so versatile, and like a classic warm bowl of oatmeal, they are easy to make. Learn how to make this basic overnight oats recipe, plus five delicious mix-in flavor recipes!

What are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are simply a blend of raw rolled oats, liquid, salt and a sweetener of your choice (which is optional, yogurt is also optional). You mix everything together in a jar and let it rest in your fridge until you’re ready to enjoy!

For the best texture, I do like to allow full 8+ hours of rest time, but in a rush 4 hours should do.

Really though, where have overnight oats been all my life? I know I’m late to this party because I just recently tried overnight oats for the first time, but I have to say they are totally genius! The flavor options for overnight oats are endless.

You just prep the oatmeal with your mix-ins the night before you want to eat them, then wake up to a ready-to-eat, delicious, creamy bowl of oatmeal the next day. I couldn’t pick just one favorite, so I’ve picked five healthy overnight oat recipes I use to share with you guys.

Watch the Overnight Oats Video:

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What Ingredients go into Overnight Oatmeal?

The overnight oat variations I’ve shared in the recipe card below all require different mix-ins, but the ingredients for the base overnight oats recipe are:

• Old fashioned oats – for best consistency don’t use quick oats.
• Unsweetened almond milk – another type of non-dairy milk will work here such as rice milk or coconut milk beverage, or use cow’s milk.
• Greek yogurt – the thickness of the Greek yogurt makes these nice and creamy. You could substitute a non-dairy yogurt if needed here too.
• Sea salt – regular table salt will work too.
• Honey or maple syrup – I like to sweeten with honey or maple syrup for a healthier option but brown sugar or a sugar free substitute will work too. If you don’t like them very sweet you could even omit the sweetener.

How to Make the Best Overnight Oats

To make overnight oats, all you have to do before you go to bed at night is:

• Mix together oats, almond milk (or other milk of your choice), Greek yogurt, and mix-ins and sweetener of choice.
• Let them soak overnight.
• Enjoy them the next morning!

Easy Overnight Oats Flavor Ideas

Banana Almond Flax

First up, there’s the banana almond flax. These are the best overnight oats. If I had to pick a favorite, this may just be it.

I just can never get enough of that delicious almond extract flavor and it’s so good with almond butter and bananas. It makes it taste more like a treat. Then that bit of flax in it just adds a little more nutrition.

Pumpkin Pie

The next one here is the Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats. It like a healthy version of pumpkin pie, and it’s perfect for this time of year when you have a little bit of left over pumpkin puree in your fridge that you need to use up.

Pumpkin pie for breakfast? Yes, please! With this one I’d say 1 Tbsp maple syrup is a must, but maybe that’s just me. With any of these, you can use an alternate form of sweetener such as stevia. I just prefer the flavor of honey or maple syrup in this overnight oat recipe.

Berry Chia

Another overnight oatmeal flavor you need to try is this Berry Chia Overnight Oats. This one is perfect for summer when all of those sweet, juicy berries are in season.

I love the light and healthy berry and chia seed combo, and it works perfect for overnight oats.

Chocolate Peanut Butter

Here’s another one I love that mimics an decadent treat. These Chocolate (optional Peanut Butter) Overnight Oats are dreamy! What better way to start your day out than with a little chocolate?

It’s kind of like eating chocolate pudding, and you’re going to love it! I personally prefer this version with a scoop of peanut butter, but try it with and without and see which you like better.

Apple Autumn Spice

Another one that’s perfect for this time of year with all of the apples galore are these Apple Autumn Spice Overnight Oats.

I just can’t get enough of those crisp, sweet little bites of apples. They are a great way to put the apples in your fridge to good use and your mornings will thank you!

Now get started with the base overnight oats recipe below, try these flavors I’ve shared, and create some of your own!

Please let me know which of these flavors you try and enjoy! And also let me know of your other favorite flavors.

Tips for Perfect Overnight Oats

• Be sure to use old fashioned rolled oats here (not quick oats), or you won’t get right consistency.
• Measure ingredients for the most consistent results. Don’t just dump and guess.
• Don’t forget the salt or the oats will taste flat.
• Let the oats soak for at least 4 hours — or 8 hours for even creamier results.
• Wait until the morning to add crisp ingredients (like nuts) to they’ll stay nice and crisp.
• Get creative! The mix in options are endless.

More Oat Recipes You’ll Love:

• Warm Oatmeal 8 Ways
• Amish Baked Oatmeal
• Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
• Banana Pecan Baked Oatmeal
• Coconut Blueberry Oatmeal

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Overnight Oats {Five Ways}

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Five delicious variations on overnight oatmeal! These prove breakfast on the go doesn't need to be boring. Prep these simple oats the night before then they're ready to go first thing in the morning. You'll love all of these flavor options!

WATCH THE VIDEO

Servings: 1 serving

Prep Time5 minutes

Resting Time4 hours

Total Time5 minutes

Ingredients

Base recipe

• 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk , plus more to thin if desired
• 1/4 cup plain fat-free greek yogurt
• 1 fair pinch fine sea salt or table salt
• 1 - 3 tsp honey or maple syrup , to taste

Pumpkin

• 1/3 cup pumpkin
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch each nutmeg and cloves
• 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp dried cranberries , for topping
• 1 Tbsp raw unsalted pumpkin seeds , for topping

Chocolate

• 2 - 3 tsp cocoa powder , to taste
• 1 Tbsp creamy peanut butter (optional)
• 1/2 well ripened banana , mashed
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 Tbsp mini chocolate chips for topping (optional)
• 1 Tbsp shredded toasted coconut , for topping (optional)

Berry Chia Seed

• 1/2 cup fresh berries such as strawberries , blueberries or raspberries (chop strawberries)
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp chia seeds

Banana Almond Flax

• 1 small ripe banana , mashed
• 1 Tbsp creamy almond butter
• 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds
• 3 drops almond extract (pour it in the lid first so you don't add too much)

Apple Autumn Spice

• 1/2 cup chopped crisp , sweet apples
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 Tbsp chopped pecans , for topping

Instructions

1. Add oats, almond milk, yogurt, salt and honey or maple syrup to a 16 oz. jar or bowl. Add mix-ins listed for desired flavor (don't add toppings until the next day). Stir then cover and refrigerate overnight. Thin with more almond milk if desired, add toppings if listed.

Recipe Notes

Nutrition facts include oats, almonds milk, yogurt, salt and 2 tsp honey. Other mix-ins are not included.

• Be sure to use old fashioned rolled oats here (not quick oats), or you won't get right consistency.
• Let your oats soak for at least 4 hours — or 8 hours for even creamier results.
• To keep things like nuts crisp, wait until the morning to add them so they keep that nice crunch.

Nutrition Facts

Overnight Oats {Five Ways}

Amount Per Serving

Calories 243Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Cholesterol 2mg1%

Sodium 416mg18%

Potassium 217mg6%

Carbohydrates 41g14%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 13g14%

Protein 11g22%

Calcium 226mg23%

Iron 1.7mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition Disclaimer

COURSE: BREAKFAST

CUISINE: AMERICAN

KEYWORD: HOW TO MAKE OVERNIGHT OATS, OVERNIGHT OATS

AUTHOR: JACLYN